What happened
Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE has been appointed chair of the Care Quality Commission for three years from 1 October 2026, confirmed by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care after a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing by Parliament's Health and Social Care Committee on 9 September 2026. An experienced healthcare leader and cross-bench peer, she currently chairs Whittington Health NHS Trust and is joint chair of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and previously led the King's Fund. The appointment was made without open competition following consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, and carries a commitment of two to three days a week at £63,000 a year. The role puts her at the head of the regulator whose inspections and ratings shape assurance across learning disability and adult social care services.
Why it matters
Developments like this shape commissioning, regulation and provider strategy across learning disability services. Members can follow the providers named here, plus the leadership moves and pay benchmarks that follow.